AAJA MediaWatch on Pyeongchang Pronunciation

The Asian American Journalists Association’s (AAJA) MediaWatch committee’s mission is to ensure accurate and fair coverage in the news about Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

With the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang underway, we've been getting questions from American journalists about the on-air pronunciation of the South Korean host city.

The Asian American Journalists Association urges broadcast and radio journalists to use the accurate pronunciation of the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympic games.

It should be pronounced “Pyeong-ch-ah-ng,” with the “ah” similar to when a doctor asks you to say “ah.” View a video clip featuring MediaWatch co-chair CeFaan Kim:

“I'm CeFaan Kim, MediaWatch co-chair at the Asian American Journalists Association. We’ve been getting questions from American journalists about the correct pronunciation of the South Korean Olympic host city. So, here is AAJA's guidance. The correct pronunciation for the host city is Pyeongchang... ang... ah like when you go to the doctor. Ah. Pyeong-Ch-ah-ng. Pyeong-Ch-ah-ng. Pyeong-Ch-ah-ng.”